Abstract:
Background: Psychiatric disorders represent 14% of the world's disease burden and have been a
public health problem globally. One of the biggest obstacles to treating mental illness is non adherence to psychiatric medication. Globally, 40% to 60% of people with mental illness do not
adhere to treatment plans. This study identified the factors that contribute to psychiatric
medication non-adherence and filled the knowledge gaps that were not previously addressed in
the chosen study area.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of medication non-adherence and associated factors among
patients with psychiatric disorders, in Woliso town, southwest Shewa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility-based, cross-sectional study design was employed. To select 330 study
participants, a systematic random sampling technique was used from each hospital. A
standardized and structured questionnaire was used to gather the data, and primary data was
collected by interviewing the patient and secondary data via patient record reviews. EpiData
version 4.6 and SPSS version 26 were used to import the acquired data and conduct the analysis.
Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and a P value < 0.05 were used to confirm
statistical associations by using multivariate logistic regression.
Results: The overall prevalence of psychiatric medication non-adherence was 32.7% (95% CI:
27.8–37.9%) with a response rate of 100%. Substance use (AOR=2.575; 95%CI: 1.48, 4.47),
medication cost (AOR=2.151; 95%CI: 1.24, 3.74), duration of treatment greater than 1 year
(AOR=2.10; 95%CI: 1.22, 3.62), and low internalized stigma (AOR=0.281; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.5),
were significantly associated with psychiatric medication non-adherence.
Conclusion: About one-third of psychiatric patients were non-adherent to their medications.
This highlights the need for interventions and strategies to improve medication adherence among
psychiatric patients in Woliso town. Collaboration between healthcare providers and community
organizations can play a vital role in ensuring access to affordable medications for psychiatric
patients who are unable to afford them, ultimately improving their overall treatment outcomes.
